Accountancy firms merge following death of partner

ACCOUNTANCY firm BHP has merged with Sheffield-based gvt Chartered Accountants following the death of the latter’s key relationship partner.

Melanie Viner passed away in November following a battle with cancer.  She joined gvt in 1991 and quickly established a strong reputation in the accountancy industry, becoming the firm’s managing partner.  

Following her diagnosis, she became passionate about securing gvt’s future for its staff and clients and agreed to the completion of the merger shortly before her death.

Ms Viner’s business partner Mark Goodband has retired from the partnership and after a short hand over period will pursue other opportunities.

gvt’s team will relocate from its Nether Edge office to BHP’s Rutland Park headquarters over the coming weeks.  BHP now has more than 300 employees across five offices in Sheffield, Leeds, Cleckheaton, Chesterfield and York.

John Warner, managing partner at BHP, said: “It was hugely important to Melanie that both gvt’s team and the firm’s client base would continue to thrive after her death.  gvt has always had a strong, well-established team and a reputation for offering a high standard of service to its clients, which fits with BHP’s culture and customer centric approach.  As a result, we were delighted to agree to this merger proposal.  

“We’re now looking forward to welcoming our new colleagues into our business and continuing to provide gvt’s clients with the level of service and expertise that they have come to expect, which will form an important part of Melanie’s legacy. We would also like to wish Mark all the very best for the future.”  

gvt was advised by Rachel Neems of Clarion in Leeds.